Neighbours: Ramsay St tycoon’s wild plan for Vermont South site

The UK-based owner of a third of Melbourne’s world-famous cul-de-sac has revealed his out-there dream for the suburban stretch.

Ramsay St would have met Geordie Shore if the UK-based owner of two Pin Oak Court properties had his way.

The Ramsay St tycoon who owns a third of the Neighbours cul-de-sac has revealed his dream of turning it into a Geordie Shore-style reality show as he prepares to sell.

After 37 years on the air, the show’s producers announced it would film its final episodes in June after UK-based Channel 5 announced plans to cut it from their scheduling.

But while the Aussie expat is preparing to part ways with his two properties along the world-famous suburban Melbourne stretch, another unlikely player has unveiled their plan to keep its spirit alive.

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Docking Real Estate director Adam Docking is selling 3 Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, better known as No. 30 Ramsay St on Neighbours, for its UK-based owner. Picture: Tony Gough

Yorkshire-based entrepreneur Andrew Whitney owns two of the six homes on Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, which have been used to film the show since its inception in 1985.

Mr Whitney said he was “devastated for the show” he still records every episode of.

He’s even tried to boost ratings by secretly setting the show to record for entire seasons when visiting people’s homes around the UK.

“When I grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, our lives revolved around Neighbours — it was why we had dinner at 7pm,” he said.

“And when the show does end, that last week will be another week where my life revolves around Neighbours. I won’t be watching on catch up. It will be ads and all.”

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan as Scott and Charlene. Supplied: Network Ten.

The entrepreneur bought No. 6 Pin Oak court for $238,000 in 1998, before moving to the UK where he now owns several restaurants and is commercial director of FlyMeNow private jet hire, as well as a principal partner of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He snapped up No. 3 under the hammer in 2013 for $867,000.

“The dream was that sooner or later the storylines would finish, and then it would be amazing to get some real families in there,” Mr Whitney said.

“Something like The Only Way is Essex, or Geordie Shore.”

But Melbourne’s booming property market put an end to his ambitions when No. 5 sold for $1.405m in 2019.

“Karl Kennedy’s place came up (No. 5) and I was all geared up to put my hand up for that,” Mr Whitney said.

“But the opening bid was $1.2m and I had to put my collar up and get out of there.”

No. 2 Pin Oak Court sold for $1.5m in a quiet off-market deal in December last year, and No. 1 notched $1.6m in May 2021.

Neighbours actor Matt Wilson with Scotty T from Geordie Shore.

Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, is better known as Ramsay St. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Whitney said owning the two homes had been an “unbelievable journey”, but he had decided to list No. 3 for sale — and was open to selling No. 6 as well.

“I have absolutely loved having my thumb in the Neighbours street for most of my life,” he said.

“But now it’s about passing it on to someone else for the next chapter. They will be living on the world’s most famous street, living in a world-famous house, but they will be able to genuinely make it their home without having to worry about whether they can trim a hedge.”

Docking Real Estate director Adam Docking, who is also the Real Estate Institute of Victoria president, will sell No. 3 on Mr Whitney’s behalf.

Andrew Whitney owns a third of Ramsay St. Image via LinkedIn

Mr Docking said the property would go to auction on April 9 and was expected to sell well above what Mr Whitney paid for it.

“In the past decade the market has almost doubled in value,” Mr Docking said.

This is despite the looming end of a contract between owners and Neighbours production company Fremantle Media that paid owners for the right to film in the street.

The final episodes of Neighbours will be filmed in the coming weeks.

Chrysten Zenoni of MTV's Geordie Shore.

The Herald Sun understands fees were at one stage as high as $500 a week, but closer to $380 a week in recent years.

Interior filming is done at a nearby Nunawading set.

While Mr Whitney’s plans to give Ramsay St a revamp have faltered, Bunyip Tours managing director Terry Smit said the Official Neighbours Tour was hoping to keep its spirit alive.

Tours largely stopped during the pandemic, but from April to the end of June they plan to run four a week until the show’s Nunawading studios are closed. And potentially beyond then.

“We have people trying to book for October and even early next year,” Mr Smit said.

“Though there is the question of whether it would be running in five years or 10 years.

“But we might be able to manage without the studios, if some of the stars might be willing to meet tour guests.”

RAMSAY ST REAL ESTATE AND RESIDENTS

1 Pin Oak Court – 32 Ramsay St

Last sold: $1.6m (May, 2021)

Currently home to: Jane Harris, Aaron Brennan, David Tanaka, Nicolette Stone, Isla Tanaka-Brennan, Abigaile Tanaka

Notable residents: Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), Dee Bliss (Madeleine West)

No 1 Pin Oak Court is better known as 32 Ramsay St. Picture: Tony Gough

2 Pin Oak Court – 22 Ramsay St

Last sold: $1.5m December 2021

Currently home to: Terese Willis, Ned Willis and Glen Donelley

Notable residents: Zoe Davis (Ally Fowler) Mike Young (Guy Pearce), Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), Nina Tucker (Delta Goodrem), Isabelle Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte), Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie)

No. 2 Pin Oak Court has an alternate life as 22 Ramsay St. Picture: Tony Gough

3 Pin Oak Court – 30 Ramsay St

Last sold: $867,000 (2013)

Currently home to: Toadfish and Nell Rebecchi, Hugo Somers, Amy Greenwood, Zara Selwyn

Notable residents: Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), Stephen Gottlieb (Lochie Daddo), Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia), Mark Brennan (Bruce Samazan), Luke Handley (Bernard Curry), Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver), Dee Bliss (Madeleine West), Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne)

No. 3 Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, is being prepared for sale. Picture: Tony Gough.

4 Pin Oak Court – 24 Ramsay St

Last sold: $66,950 (1981)

Currently home to: Chloe Brennan, Mackenzie Hargreaves

Notable residents: Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue), Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan), Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan), Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), Beth Brennan (Natalie Imbruglia), Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie), Cassandra Freedman (Tottie Goldsmith), Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver)

The owners of 4 Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, have owned the home since before it became Ramsay St. Picture: Tony Gough.

5 Pin Oak Court – 28 Ramsay St

Last sold: $1.405m (2019)

Currently home to: Karl and Susan Kennedy, Hendrix Grayson

Notable residents: Mike Young (Guy Pearce), Karl and Susan Kennedy (Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne), Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), Finn Kelly (Rob Mills)

No. 5 Pin Oak Court might be more memorable as the home of Susan and Karl Kennedy. Picture: Tony Gough.

6 Pin Oak Court – 26 Ramsay St

Last sold: $238,000 (1998)

Currently home to: Kyle and Levi Canning, Roxy Willis

Notable residents: Jim Robinson (Alan Dale), Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), Anne Wilkinson (Brooke Satchwell), Felicity (Holly Valance), Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver)

No. 6 Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, better known as 26 Ramsay St could hit the market later this year. Picture: Tony Gough.

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